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Minnesota Now with Nina Moini
Nina Moini and Ngoc Bui

Counties, food shelves prepare for impacts of expanded work requirements for SNAP

A person shops in a packaged food aisle of a grocery store.
Changes to work rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could mean thousands of Minnesotans are no longer eligible for benefits.
Scott Olson | Getty Images

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Thousands of Minnesotans could lose access to federal food benefits beginning Wednesday, April 1, due to changes to work rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

These changes came as part of HR 1, the massive reconciliation bill signed into law in July 2025.

Barb Dahl, health and human services director for Scott County, and Rachel Holmes, director of advocacy and community engagement with The Food Group, laid out what people should know in an interview with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

What’s changed and who’s affected

Dahl says under these new rules, more Minnesotans will need to meet the work requirement to receive SNAP benefits. That means spending at least 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month doing one or a combination of the following: working, volunteering, or a job training program.

Prior to Nov. 1, 2025Effective Nov. 1, 2025
  • Are 18-54 years old;
  • Do not live with a dependent/child under age 18; and
  • Do not have a mental or physical health condition stopping them from working
  • Are between 18-64 years old;
  • Do not live with a dependent/child under age 14; and
  • Do not have a mental or physical health condition stopping them from working

“Previously, it was 18 to 54. Now, that expands all the way to 64,” Dahl said. “It also now includes parents that have children 14 years of age or older.”

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families or DCYF says, in total, an additional 27,000 Minnesotans will be subjected to the work rule.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements will only be eligible for SNAP for three months during the window between Jan. 1, 2026 and Dec. 31, 2028.

Who is exempt?

According to the DCYF, people who meet one of the following conditions are exempt from the work rule:

  • Pregnant

  • Facing challenges to getting employment

  • Facing a domestic violence situation

  • Unable to work due to physical or mental health condition

  • Applied for or receiving unemployment benefits

  • In school or a training program for at least 20 hours per week

  • In a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program

  • Taking care of someone who is disabled or ill

  • Earning $217.50 or more per week

  • Are an Indian, Urban Indian or California Indian

The federal government also eliminated exemptions for U.S. veterans as well as people age 24 or younger and were in foster care on their 18th birthday.

Where to find resources

For those who may be looking for resources if they have lost benefits, Rachel Holmes with The Food Group says Minnesotans can turn to the state’s “emergency food system”, which includes food shelves, meal programs or affordable grocery programs.

The Minnesota Department of Health has a list of potential resources.

However, Holmes said, the state’s already strained system will not be able to absorb the additional need that may come from these changes.

“Our food shelves are trying very hard,” said Holmes. “But they cannot possibly fill the gap of SNAP cuts or additional folks losing their SNAP benefits.”

According to a new report from The Food Group, Minnesotans made 9 million visits to food shelves in 2025 — that’s the fourth consecutive record-breaking year.

Holmes says she hopes state lawmakers will pass legislation this session to provide support to local food shelves.